The Nancy G. Pratt Award for Vision & Leadership

Honoring innovation, integrity, and transformational impact in the notary profession

The Nancy G. Pratt Award for Vision & Leadership is the highest honor bestowed by the American Guild of Notaries Public. Created to recognize extraordinary individuals whose work has advanced the notary profession in meaningful, lasting, and visionary ways, the award pays tribute to a woman whose career reshaped the landscape of notarial practice in the United States.

2025 Honoree: Marc L. Aronson

Marc L. Aronson has devoted more than five decades to elevating, defending, and modernizing the office of notary public. As President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Association of Notaries, Marc has been a tireless advocate and respected ambassador for notaries since 1972.

Over the course of his distinguished career, Marc has become one of the nation’s foremost authorities on notarial practice and a pioneering voice in the advancement of electronic and remote notarization. His expertise and ability to make complex concepts accessible have made him a sought-after lecturer on topics ranging from foundational notary responsibilities to the evolving technological landscape of the profession

The American Guild of Notaries Public is proud to name Marc L. Aronson as the inaugural recipient of the Nancy G. Pratt Award for Vision & Leadership.
His decades-long advocacy, national leadership, and unwavering commitment to professional excellence exemplify the qualities this award was created to honor.

About Marc


Marc’s leadership and vision have carried him across the United States to speak, teach, and collaborate with some of the most influential institutions in law, real estate, lending, technology, and government. His presentations and consulting work have supported organizations including the Electronic Signature and Records Association, the American Land Title Association, the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO), the Property Records Industry Association, the Notary Public Administrators Section of the National Association of Secretaries of State, and the Uniform Law Commission.

His home state has also recognized his exceptional contributions. Marc was appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania to serve on the Electronic Recording Commission, where his expertise has shaped statewide policy and helped set standards embraced across the country.

Across all these roles, Marc has demonstrated unwavering commitment to professional excellence, ethical practice, and the future of the notary office. His leadership has strengthened the profession for generations — and continues to inspire notaries nationwide.


About the Award

The Nancy G. Pratt Award honors those who embody the same visionary spirit, professional courage, and leadership that defined Nancy’s career. Recipients demonstrate national-level impact on notarization standards, education, technology, or public protection, and their work advances the mission of strengthening the role of notaries across the United States.

Purpose of the Award

The Nancy G. Pratt Award recognizes individuals who, like Nancy, demonstrate:

  • Exceptional leadership in advancing the notary profession

  • A commitment to integrity, innovation, and public protection

  • A willingness to challenge outdated systems and champion positive change

  • A national-level impact on standards, education, or technology in notarization

  • Dedication to elevating notaries through collaboration, mentorship, and advocacy

Recipients embody Nancy’s spirit: visionary, principled, and relentlessly dedicated to strengthening the role of notaries in society.


Honoring Nancy

Nancy Pratt was a trailblazer, a technologist, and a passionate advocate for secure, modernized notarization practices long before the rest of the world understood their importance. Throughout her distinguished career, she championed standards for electronic and remote notarization, working tirelessly to ensure that notaries — and the public they serve — would benefit from innovations rooted in security, trust, and accessibility.

Nancy’s professional contributions were matched only by her generosity of spirit. She inspired national leaders, and challenged organizations to think boldly about the future. Her influence can be seen in nearly every advancement in e-notary law and technology over the past two decades. Nancy’s mind was always focused on building, improving, and leading. Nancy’s passion and unwavering commitment to excellence will live on in the American Guild of Notaries Public, where she proudly served as its founding Chair and Chief Operating Officer.

The Guild is honored to preserve her legacy through this annual award.

Nancy Pratt Award Vision & Leadership

 Nancy G. Pratt 

1952 - 2025